May.
THE WEST SHORE.
a
safely through. The next spring Fulton
dug out the wagon, mended it and took it
home. When we apologized, he laughed,
and said that was just the way everybody
served him and the way he served them.
He said" When I borrow a team, I drive
home, unyoke the cattle, throw the yokes,
bows and keys around loose on the ground,
and when the owner comes for the team,
he finds the children have generally lost
the bows and keys, and perhaps one or two
of the log chains, but he don't care for
'this is the Oregon style Ha! Hall"
IN THE MATTER OF CULTURE.
MRS F. F. VICTOR.
It has as many shades of meaning as
there are degrees in a circle. Culture to be
complete, should be well rounded, and in
clude every degree; but it very rarely is
complete. Knowledge is a large element
of it, but it is not the thing itself. It is
rather the proper application of knowledge
that constitutes culture.
There arc plenty of people who really
know a good deal, to whom it never oc
curs to us to apply the meaning contained
in this word. Hooks cannot confer it, nor
is it always to be extracted from the at
mosphere of a university, though we cer
tainly have a right to expect that it should
be. Universality of travel is not sufficient
to secure it; polished manners are only a
part of it. Religion, justice, morality, arc
only parts of it. Evidently it is subtle and
hard to define.
There is, for instance, a man you dis
tinguish by the appellative gmtkman. He
is in a high position, has mixed with what
is popularly known as "the best society,"
is liberally educated, according to the well
understood and accepted meaning of that
phrase; and, though you wonder why it is,
you recognize a certain deficiency, that to
your consciousness deprives him of the
right to be called ailhireil. He hasdeceiv
ed you, has told a "polite" lie, has shown a
disregard for your feelings or your con
venience, a disregard of your claim to con
sideration, whatever that may be, has, in
short, come below your standard, in one
or several things.
In the same way, the woman from whom
you had a right to exiicct breadth of char
acter, calmness of judgment, and the poise
and self-possession that enters into true cul
ture, disappoints you by an exhibition of
petlishncss or nervousness, and you receive
a disagreeable impression of the emptiness
of the shell in that instance, also. Although
you say to yourself over and over that hu
man perfection is not easily attained, and
that a margin must be left in every char
acter for its specific blemish, the same re
mains that there must be a lack of culture,
as well as a presence of peculiar traits.
For the use of culture "is to reduce id
iosyncrasies, to soften pronincnccs, to
broaden narrowness, and elevate littleness.
It makes impossible falsehood, affectation,
(to use an expressive cant phiasc) the "put
ting on of airs;" at the same time that it
may, by common consent, assume a quiet
'dignity of its own, altogether defensible,
upon the ground that it injures in no way
the self-respect of another.
From such premises as here given it
might be concluded that it is character
itself that makes what we call culture. Or
iginal traiu certainly may have a good deal
to do with it; as one person is more easily
taught than another. Susceptibility to im
pressions and a quick 'observation, un
doubtedly greatly assist its growth; but an
experience of considerable time and extent
is required, where culture must be obtain
ed entirely through our own observations;
and where so obtained is rarely very per
fect, on account of the difficulty of eradi
cating early habits. It is a good deal a
matter of inheritance and cqnstant daily
training. .
A person of true culture is never op
pressed with the consciousness of knowing
a great deal. He docs not belong to the
pamnu class of knowing people, and his
attainments sit easily upon him. He does
not lie in wail for your slips of tongue to
constitute himself your critic, nor does he
loudly declare the laws of etiquette as a
matter of much importance to hiin and to
everybody; because he lias learned that
there is a politeness above etiquette, which
ignores the mistakes and ignorance of oth
ers. Your cultivated man or woman has
the art of duing the right thing in
the right place, without attracting
notice to it, or demanding recognition of
the fact; at the same lime, he or she is
quick to recognize the services or atten
tions of another. "Loudness" in dress, in
manners, even in the tones of the voice,
betray the absence of culture, as does lav
ish display of any kind. Too much mon
ey, too many jewels, on unimportant oc
casions, are equally traitorous.
Assuredly the gradations are very fine,
and the qualities subtle; but they are un
mistakable for all that. You recognize
them when you :ce them as quickly as you
know a rose by its odor. The glance of
the eye, the inflexions of the voice, the
turn of the head upon the shoulders, even
the movement of a hand gestures, gait,
the whole make-up goes into evidence of
the amount and quality of the culture you
possess. Its value is acknowledged, the
world over; it is supposed to confer upon
its possessor more happiness than the pos
session of riches, as it certainly docs more
grace; and to be as desirable as beauty.
It could not then be an important ques
tion to ask, why so many people seem in
differenno it in the training of their chil
dren. It is not at all incompatible with
good health or with usefulness, even with
hard work, especially if transmitted from
father to son, or from mother to daughter,
with the daily education. Derived in that
way it becomes the "second nature" which
is often quite as strong as the first nature.
Probably the neglect comes from many
causes. Imperfect education in the par
ents, business cares, want of the governing
faculty, etc. The "line upon line, and
precept upon precept" if not sufficiently
regarded. The mother, particularly, wear
ies of the frequent admonition, the con
stant necessity for watchfulness and exam
ple wearies of correcting the speech, the
movements and the sentiments of her
children.
Yet eternal vigilance is the price of this
blessing, as it is of so many others. The
rose-vine must be bent and fastened in a
certain form till it grows there, if you ex
pect to give it the shape you desire perma
nently. It is fortunate that roses and chil
dren are pleasant to work with, albeit they
art a little thorny.
It is surprising how much there is spent
uion education that has no culture in it
how many atrocious little Arabs there arc
who are ready with their school tasks, but
who, both at home and abroad arc looked
upon with dread, mingled with compassion
or indignation, as the case may lie. It
would appear that there must lie some
thing wrong in our educational system.
Perhaps it is taken for granted that peo
ple with sufficient book-knowledge toteath
the general branches provided, also possess
a very considerable degree of cultivation
in manner, and elevation of character. Hut
it does not necessarily follow. And hence
it turns out that between the parents and
the teachers, a great many intelligent ruflians
are turned loose upon society at the irre
sponsible jieriod of their lives, wlicrc as
minors they cannot he visited with the
punishment their behavior merits. Not
that they were educated to be ruffians, but
that they were allowed to be such.
Hoys go from our common schools to
our colleges; and arc there compelled to
obey, as at the common school, a ccruin
set of rules having in view the safety and
comfort of their teachers, rather' than their
own education into the practice of a high
er refinement, and more advanced senti
ment. From colleges these young men
go next into the professional ranks, and
finally occupy the first positions in the
country. Put when we come to see them
in contact with the cultured gentleman of
other nations we have often occasion to
blush at the disparity.
I presume no one would contend that
American youth are radically worse than
the youth of England, France, or Germany.
What we may safely insist upon, however,
is this, that from a lack at training both at
home and at educational institutions, thev
fail to impress us with a gratifying sense of
the benefits conferred upon them by an
education. Being the best or most uni
versally taught eoplc, except the Germans,
we ought to make an impression as a peo
ple of refinements in manners. On the
contrary we arc too often ridiculed for ex-
mmting a total inditlercnco to, or happy
unconsciousness of some of the nicer dis
tinctions of Xouncsy, of sentiment, and of
honorable dealing that should belong to
the character of a gtnlkma, and especial
ly to an Anurujn gentleman.
It does not matter whether those who
laugh arc really any better than we
arc. But it shall concern us that they,
whether they be good or bad themselves.
discover the incongruities in our national
character, and find them subjic s of ridi
cule. And still that is of less importance
than what we say about each otheral home.
A gentleman or a lady is so much more
an agreeable person to have any kind
ol dealings with or relation to, than a per
son not entitled to be classed as cither. In
their hands we have a feeling of safety;
a conviction that from tliein we can ex
pecteven when greallv our superiors a
consideration not granted, always, by an
inferior class; quick sympathies, delicate
behavior, and the absence of those rude
shocks so often, though unintentionally,
given by those not possessing culture.
Thorough culture must include a consid
erable degree of knowledge of men and
things, as well asof books; high principles;
the essence of Christianity, f. t. doing as we
would be done by; and courteous manners.
The constant practice of rules of action
looking toward the perfection all these
things imply, imparts that air so difficult to
describe, and which we know by the name
given above. It is slow of growth, but
strong and durable, as slow growths are
sure to be. It cannot be commenced too
early, nor cherished too unremittingly.
Neither can it be valued too highly; for it
is the (lower of all the mostdcsirablc things
that men pursue, and marks the degrcs of
their attainments with unerring certainty.
To woman it is more than beauty, because
while beauty of the perishable kind is fad
ing, this other loveliness may be all the
time increasing. It gives to youth a charm
greater than youth itself; and iniiarts to
age a softness and dignity that wins from
us admiration and respect.
HINTS TO IMMIGRANTS A CHAP
TER FROM MRS. STUART'S PAM
PHLET ON WASHINGTON TKR.
There is no portion of the country, per
haps, that olfers all the advantages to an
immigrant equal to this 'Territory. 'The
lands along the water courses arc extreme
ly fertile, and these arc very numerous,
lis tide lands make the finest gardens in
the world when diked, and produce exten
sive crops; its limber lands are useful both
for agricultural aud commercial purposes ;
and iu prairies afford good pasturage for
all domestic animals. These lands, of all
grades, can be found in the 'Territory.
They can he purchased, pre-empted, or la
ken up under the homestead act, so that
he who desires lo labor, and is willing to
make a home for himself can find id
means in this genial country. The person !
desiring to take up a farm along the tours, j
es of the rivers ran Ibid plenty of room ;
arid land, from ll.e l.umnii on the north
to the lower portion of the Columbia. !
Timber land can I found my where in !
Wcsieru Washington, except near the mill-'
ing towns, and, if adjacent to water, it is
valuable, as loggers get about five dollars
a thousand for saw-log, and they select
smh land as will aflord ihcm ready facili
ties of gelling their timber lo water. '1 hey
pay fifty cents per thousand feet for stuntp
age, so that a person having heavily tim
bered land can receive double compensa
tion from it; first, from the lumbar, and
then from the products raised. Sonic ol
this class of land is difficult to clear, but
much of it is comparatively easy and inex
pensive. The principal prairies arc in
Eastern Washington, aud they are undoubt
edly the best grazing lands in the world,
being covered with the large and abundant
bunch grass, which retains it nuiriton Iho
year round. These prairies arc traversed
by thousands of domestic animals, who
roam at large, with little or no care from
their owners. The immigrant desiiou; of
following the business will find plenty ol
room. 'The smaller prairies afford excel
lent opportunites for engaging in the wool
business. Wool brings a good price, mut
ton is alwars sought for in the market.
and wild animals destructive to sheep arc
scarce. Were an immigrant to ask,
"Where can I find a good farmi" We
would say; Almost any where in Washing
Ion Territory, Go where you may, yoti
can find land in its primitive stale or under
cultivation. As to the healthfulness of the
country, it is unequaled, by any portion of
the Union, and the truth of this s'a'.cmcnl
can be learned, at any time, by reference
lo the report of the Surgeon General of ihc
United Stales. Commerce, with excep
tion of the lumber and coal trade, is dor
mant, ami manufactories comparatively
unknown. 'The 'Territory does the laigcst
lumber trade in ihc world, and ships, laden
with spars, masts ami lumber can be seen
daily on their way through the sound.
The minerals of ihc Territory, which
arc rich anil varied, have not, witii the cx
pepiion of coal, been developed al alL
House rent is couiiaralive!y small,
churches are plentiful, and iho facilities for
education are excellent, 1 hose desiring
to furnish their children an ample educa
tion can do so, as all the larger towns nrc
liberally supplied with private and public
schools. 'The population of the 'Territory
is composed largely of natives of the New
England and Middle Stales, but like CVC7
other portion of the country, representa
tives of Euroiiean nationalities are found
here. A more orderly and law-abiding
population cannot be found in America..
Private and benevolent societies are nu1
mcrous and large in numbers. All the
princqul denominations have churches
throughout the Territory, so that the im
migrant can find here, as well as in hl
native land, the consolation of his faith.
While thus showing the advantages ol the
country, we would not advise all who de
sire to better their conditions to flock here
unless Ihey are willing lo toil, and aic
possessed of courage anil endurance to
hew themselves a home out of the forests
and labor for the advancement ol the
country. Those persons engaged in the
lighter occiiialiins, such as professional
men, book-keepers and clerkH, will not
find much cniploymcut until the com
merce and population of the Territory in
crease. Farmers, mechanics, carpenters,
masons and blacksmiths arc most necdedy.
as they arc useful in every community.
Gentlemen of leisure and their kindred!
arc nut wanted. 'The country is yet too.
young to support drones of any kind.
People wanted, ihcn, are ihc earnest, hard
working kind, wdio have an object in life
and wishing to make preiraiions for their
family and old age. Those who come
need not expect lo find all they desire im
mediately; they must be content, if they
take farms, lo live somewhat isolated for 3
short lime, unless they have means to pur
chase land in more thickly settled districts.
Hut this isolation must he for a short time
only, as these fertile lands cannot remain
long nnsellled' 'The inhabitants of Europe
and the Eastern Slates arc seckitg more
elbow romn, and to the "Great West" ihey
must come. I le is the best off, them who
comes first and has the privilege of making
a selection of the lands, and he will find
lhat Washington possesses all the elements
of a great and piosperous Stale, and offers
superior inducements lo lliose seeking
homes.
Laiikls f jR Ociiioor Pi.ams, A con
venient method of preparing outdoor
labels for plants, capable of resisting any
weather, consists in first cutting them out
of smooth pasteboard, and wilting upon,
them vihilcver may be dcMrc I in ordinary
ink. When this is dry Ihey are iminenieil
in linseed-oil, or, what is mil better,
linseed-oil varnish, until ihry arc com
pletely iicrmealcd by ihc liquid; afler
which they are li'ing in the open air upon
threads lo dry. 'I hey become like Iron,
and resist wet for a long t'fr.o, and are.
more durable llun sliis of n.ttal.